History of Paionia/Paeonia (Greek Kingdom)

In ancient geography, Paeonia or Paionia (Greek: Παιονία) was the land of the Paionians (Ancient Greek Παίονες). The exact original boundaries of Paionia, like the early history of its inhabitants, are very obscure, but it is believed that they lay in the region of Thrace. In the time of Classical Greece, Paionia originally included the whole Axios valley and the surrounding areas, in what is now the northern part of the Greek region of Macedonia, most of the present-day Republic of Scopia, and a small part of western Bulgaria. It was located immediately north of the ancient Macedonian kingdom (corresponding to the modern Greek region of Macedonia) and south of Dardania (corresponding to modern-day Kosovo). In the east were the Thracians and in the west the Illyrians.
The Paionian tribes were: Agrianes (also, Agriani and Agrii) Almopians, Laeaeans, Derrones, Odomantes, Doberes, Paeonians, Siropaiones.

In Greek mythology the Paeonians were said to have derived their name from Paion, son of Endymion. So, their national origin was greek like thracians and illyrians. Linguistically the Paionian language has been variously connected to its neighboring languages, i.e., Illyrian, Thracian, and every possible Thraco-Illyrian mix in between. Several eastern Paionian tribes, including the Agrianes, clearly fell within the Thracian sphere of influence. Yet according to the national legend (Herodotus v. 13) they were Teucrian colonists from Troy. Homer (Iliad, II.848) speaks of 'Paionians from the Axios fighting on the side of the Trojans', but does not mention whether the Paionians were kin to the Trojans. Homer gives the Paionian leader as a certain Pyraechmes (parentage unknown); but later on in the Iliad (Book 21) he mentions a second leader, named Asteropaeus, son of Pelagon. All the paionian names were greek. Before the reign of Darius Hystaspes, they had made their way as far east as Perinthus in Thrace on the Propontis. At one time Mygdonia, together with Crestonia, was subject to them. When Xerxes crossed Chalcidike on his way to Therma (later renamed Thessalonike) he is said to have marched through Paionian territory. They occupied the entire valley of the River Axios (Vardar) as far inland as Stobi, the valleys to the east of it as far as the River Strymon and the country round Astibus and the river of the same name, with the water of which they anointed their kings. Emathia, roughly the district between the Haliakmon and Axios, was once called Paionia; and Pieria and Pelagonia were inhabited by Paionians. Due to the growth of Macedonian power, and under pressure from their Thracian neighbors, their territory was considerably diminished, and in historical times was limited to the north of Macedonia, from Illyria to the River Strymon.

Paeonian kingdom

The Paionian tribes

In early times, the chief town and seat of the Paionian kings was Bylazora (now Veles in FYROM) on the River Axios (rerenamed Vardar by the Slavs). Later, the seat of the kings was moved to Stobi (now Pusto Gradsko). At some point thereafter, the Paionian princedoms coalesced into a kingdom centered in the central and upper reaches of the Vardar and Struma rivers. They joined with the Illyrians to infiltrate the northern most populated areas of the Hellenic Kingdom of Macedonia. The Illyrians, who had a culture of piracy, would have been cut off from some trade routes, if movement through this land had been blocked. They attacked the northern defenses of the Macedonians unsuccessfully, in an attempt to occupy the region. In 360-359 BCE, southern Paionian tribes launched raids into Macedon in support of an Illyrian invasion (Diodorus xvi.2.5). The Macedonian Royal House was thrown into a state of uncertainty by the death of Perdiccas III, but his brother Philip II assumed the throne, reformed the army (and the phalanx), and stopped both the Illyrian invasion and the Paionian raids through the boundary of the "Macedonian Frontier", which was the northern perimeter he intended to defend as a part of his domain. He followed Perdiccas's success in 358 BCE with a campaign deep into the north, into Paionia itself. 


A Paionian contingent was attached to Alexander the Great's army. At the time of the Persian invasion, the Paionians on the lower Strymon had lost their territorial autonomy, while those in the north maintained it. The daughter of Audoleon, one of these kings, was the wife of Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, and Alexander the Great wished to bestow the hand of his sister Cynnane upon Langarus, who had shown himself loyal to Philip II. Alexander the Great's mother was from the Hellenic kingdom of Epirus and was an Epirot by blood. A genial dynasty also continued through the reigns of Paionian kings.

Culture

The Paionians included several independent tribes, all later united under the rule of a single king. Little is known of their manners and customs. They adopted the cult of Dionysus, known amongst them as Dyalus or Dryalus. Herodotus mentions that the Thracian and Paionian women offered sacrifice to Queen Artemis (probably Bendis). They worshipped the sun in the form of a small round disk fixed on the top of a pole. A passage in Athenaeus seems to indicate the affinity of their greek language with Mysian. They drank barley beer and various decoctions made from plants and herbs. The country was rich in gold and a bituminous kind of wood or stone, which burst into a blaze when in contact with water. It was called tanrivoc (or tsarivos).
 The Paionian women were famous for their industry. In this connection Herodotus (v. 12) tells the story that Darius, having seen at Sardis a beautiful Paionian girl carrying a pitcher on her head, leading a horse to drink and spinning flax, all at the same time, inquired who she was. Having been informed that she was a Paionian, he sent instructions to Megabazus, commander in Thrace, to deport two tribes of the nation without delay to Asia. An inscription discovered in 1877 at Olympia on the base of a statue, states that it was set up by the community of the Paionians in honor of their king and founder Dropion. Another king whose name appears as Lyppeius on a fragment of an inscription found at Athens relating to a treaty of alliance is probably Lycceius or Lycpeius figuring on Paionian coins (see B. V. Head, Historia numorum, 1887, p. 207).

Decline

In 280 BCE the Gallic invaders under Brennus ravaged the land of the Paionians, who, being further hard pressed by the Dardani, had no alternative but to join the Macedonians. Despite their combined efforts, however, the Paionians and Macedonians were defeated. Paionia consolidated again but in 217 BCE the Macedonian king Philip V of Macedon (220-179 BC), the son of Demetrius II, succeeded in uniting and incorporating into his empire the separate regions of Dassaretia and Paionia. A mere 70 years later, in 146 BCE, Roman legions conquered Macedon in turn. Paionia around the Axios formed the second and third districts respectively of the Roman province of Macedonia (Livy xiv. 29). Centuries later under Diocletian, Paionia and Pelagonia formed a province called Macedonia Secunda or Macedonia Salutaris, belonging to the Praetorian prefecture of Illyricum

Alexander der Große

Alexander wurde im Jahre 356 v. Chr. als Sohn Philipps des II.,des Königs von Makedonien, und dessen Frau Olympias von Epirus geboren. Viele Einzelheiten seiner Biographie, vor allem aber seiner Kindheit, wurden später überhohlt und zur Legende verklärt. So erzählt Plutarch, dass Alexanders wahrer Vater der Göttervater Zeus gewesen sei; ebenso berichtet er, dass Olympias und Philipp Träume gehabt hatten, die ihnen der Seher Aristander so deutete, dass ihnen die Geburt eines Löwen bevorstehe.Die Mutter Olympias nahm für sich in Anspruch, direkt von dem griechischen Heros Achilles abzustammen. Sein Vater Philipp wollte angeblich vom Zeussohn Herakles abstammen. Nach einer Erzählung des Plutarch soll Alexander in jungen Jahren sein Pferd Bukephalos, das ihn später bis nach Indien begleiten sollte, gezähmt haben, obwohl niemand sonst es bändigen könnte. Alexander erkannte, was den Fehlversuchen der anderen zugrunde lag. Das Pferd schien den eigenen Schatten zu scheuen.

Alexanders Vater Philipp der Il. hatte das vorher eher unbedeutende griechische Königreich Makedonien, das vor ihm zwischen den Adelsfamilien des Hoch- und des Tieflands zerstritten war, zur stärksten Militärmacht der damaligen Zeit gemacht. Er hatte Thessalien und Thrakien erobert und alle griechischen Stadtstaaten mit Ausnahme Spartas in ein Bündnis unter seiner Führung gezwungen. Schon in diesen Kriegszügen war Alexander beteiligt, etwa in der Schlacht von Chaironeia (338 v. Chr.), in der die griechischen Städte unter Führung Athens unterworfen wurden. Die makedonische Phalanx erwies sich dabei als ein wichtiges Element für den militärischen Erfolg, zentral war jedoch die Rolle der Reiterei. Es ist unbestreitbar, dass die Erfolge, die Alexander später feiern konnte, zu einem nicht unerheblichen Teil auf die Militärreformen seines Vaters zurückgehen, der aus dem makedonischen Heer die schlagkräftigste Streitmacht seiner Zeit machte. Philipp holte auch den Philosophen Aristoteles in die makedonische Hauptstadt Pella, damit er Alexander und die Gleichaltrigen in Philosophie, Kunst und Mathematik unterrichten konnte. Der Einfluss des Aristoteles sollte wohl nicht zu hoch veranschlagt werden, doch sicher war Alexander sehr gebildet; seine Abschrift der Ilias hütete er wie einen Schatz.

Da Alexander befürchtete, von der Thronfolge ausgeschlossen zu werden, floh er schließlich mit seiner Mutter über Epirus nach Illyrien. Obwohl seine Thronfolge weiterhin unsicher war, kehrte er jedoch nach einem halben Jahr wieder nach Pella zuruck.

Philipp wurde im Sommer 336 v. Chr. in der alten Hauptstadt Aigai wahrend der Hochzeit seiner Tochter Kleopatra mit dem König Alexander von Epirus von dem Leibgardisten Pausanias ermordet.

Im Jahre 336 v. Chr. folgte der zwanzigjährige Alexander seinem Vater auf den Thron. Dass es keinen nennenswerten Widerstand gab, ist offenbar antipater zu verdanken, der das Heer dazu bewegte, Alexander als König anzuerkennen. Als nächstes wandte er sich seinem Erzfeind Attalos zu, der sich auf der Flucht befand, jedoch von seinem Verwandten (Stiefvater) Parmenion getötet wurde. Sowohl Antipater als auch Parmenion standen wegen ihrer Taten lange in Alexanders besonderer Gunst.

Noch 336 lies sich Alexander in Korinth die Gefolgschaft der griechischen Städte versichern. Die Volker in Thrakien und Illyrien versuchten jedoch, die Situation zu nutzen und die makedonische Herrschaft abzuwerfen. Alexander zog 335 v. Chr. mit 15.000 Mann nach Norden ins heutige Bulgarien und Rumänien, überquerte die Donau und warf die thrakische Revolte nieder. Anschliessend verfuhr er ebenso mit den Illyrern.

Während Alexander im Norden kämpfte, beschlossen die Griechen im Süden, dass dies der Zeitpunkt sei, sich von Makedonien zu befreien. Ihr Wortführer war Demosthenes, der die Griechen davon zu überzeugen versuchte, dass Alexander in Illyrien gefallen und Makedonien herrscherlos sei. Als erste erhoben sich die Einwohner Thebens und vertrieben die makedonischen Besatzungssoldaten aus der Stadt.

Alexander reagierte augenblicklich und marschierte direkt von seinem Illyrienfeldzug südwärts nach Theben. Die Phalanx seines Generals Perdikkas eroberte die Stadt, wo Alexander zur Bestrafung sämtliche Gebäude mit Ausnahme der Tempel und des Wohnhauses des Dichters Pindar zerstören lies. Sechstausend Einwohner wurden getötet, die übrigen 30.000 wurden in die Sklaverei verkauft.Die Stadt Theben existierte nicht mehr und sollte erst zwanzig Jahre später wieder aufgebaut werden, aber nie mehr zur alten Bedeutung zurückfinden.

Abgeschreckt von Alexanders Strafgericht brachen die anderen Städte Griechenlands ihre Revolte ab und ergaben sich. In Korinth lies sich Alexander von neuem ihre Gefolgschaft versichern und verschonte sie daraufhin, vereinte Alexander alle Griechen und marschierte in seinem Persienfeldzug.

History of Epirus

Prehistoric and ancient times

Epirus was first inhabited in the Paleolithic times. The settlers of that era were mainly involved in hunting while others were pastors who brought with them the Greek language and built tombs to bury their leaders. Many settlements and ancient findings from the Mycenaean times were also found in Epirus.

After the Mycenaean civilization declined, Epirus was regarded as the right location for the Dorian invasions (1100 -1000 BC) in Greece. The original inhabitants were driven southwards of the Dorians and since then, three Greek-speaking tribes emerged, the Thesproti, the Molossi, and the Chaones. During antiquity, these tribes who became the locals of Epirus lived in small villages, in contrast to other areas like Athens, Sparta and Corinth.

Epirus was located at the north of the Greek land and that brought many invasions from the north, but due to the existence of the sanctuary of Dodoni, the area was very important for the Ancient Greek world. The historical writings of Thucydides and Strabo describe Epirotes as barbarians but for others like Pausanias they are just Greeks. In the 3rd century BC, Epirus was a confederate state with its own representatives. However, during the war between the Macedonians and Rome, Epirus kept a neutral course but in the 3rd Macedonian War (171-168 BC) the Moloseoi fought with the Macedonians, while Chaones and Thesprotoi took the side of the Romans.


Epirus under king Pyrrhus

In 370 BC, the efforts of Aeacidaes to expand the Molossian state gained impetus from the marriage of Philip II of Macedon to their princess, Olympias. In 334, while Alexander the Great, son of Philip and Olympias, crossed into Asia, his uncle, the Molossian ruler Alexander, invaded south Italy , where he was eventually checked by Rome and killed in battle in 331. Upon the death of Alexander the Molossian, the Epirote tribes formed a coalition on an equal basis but with the Molossian king in command of their military forces.

The greatest Molossian king of this coalition was Pyrrhus (319-272). He and his son Alexander II ruled as far south as Acarnania and to central Albania in the north. The military adventures of Pyrrhus overstrained his state's military resources, but they also brought great prosperity to Epirus. He built a magnificent stone theatre at Dodona and a new suburb at Ambracia (now Arta), which he made his capital. This was the most important and prosperous period in the history of Epirus.


Byzantine and Ottoman times

With the Roman conquest, Epirus was no longer independent. In 146 BC, it became a Roman province with the name Palea Epirus (Old Epirus). The littoral zone became an important trading centre and the construction of road network enhanced the economy of the area. Epirus was part of the Byzantine Empire and after the fall of Constantinople from the Crusades in 1204, Michael Komninos took over Epirus and founded the independent stare of Epirus, with Arta as its capital. In 1318, Serbs and Albanians overran the area. In 1359, the independent state was under the Byzantine rule but not for long.


The Kastrioti, was an 14th and 15th century Greek noble family. This family controlled the region around Northern Epirus at the end of 14th and the beginning of 15th century. The most notable member was Skanderbeg.

In the 14th century Kastrioti family was one of the least powerful noble families in byzantine territories around northern Epirus. Under the rule of Skanderbeg (the name comes from Iscender Bey, which means “Alexander rules” Greeks with some Albanians fought against Ottomans.

Greeks and albanians had a lot of victories against their enemies. However after the death of Georgios Kastriotis most Albanians converted to Islam and fought with the Ottomans against the Greeks. Greeks who fought against Ottomans remained Orthodox and anslaved under the Ottoman rule until the Greek war of independence.

During the Turkish occupation, Epirus suffered from deforestation forcing its inhabitants to abandon their houses and move in other areas in search of a better life. However, some towns were still under Venetian rule until the end of 15th century when Ottoman occupation ended in Epirus. Epirus became the launching area for many outbreaks. From 17th century and on many traders from Ioannina, Metsovo and Zagoria contributed to the cultural development of the area with the rising of many school buildings and libraries. In fact, Epirus has been one of the places greatly associated with the Neoclassical Enlightenment.


Modern times

In 1821, with the burst of the Greek revolution, Epirotes had an active role in the battles, inside as well as outside the borders of Epirus. By the end of the Greek revolution in 1913, South Epirus was officially united with the newly Greek state, Northern Epirus has been occupied by Albania with the Great Powers.In Northern Epirus (South Albania) a large minority of Epirotes(Greeks) lives fighting for their autonomy.On 17.Februar 1914 in Argyrokastro (Gjirokaster) the Greek population called a separate republic "Autonomous Epirus", which should be as soon as possible united with Greece.After the first World War, Northern Epirus finally fell to the Albanian state.The history of Epirus travels through many phases from the birth of the Greek world to the modern times.

History of Macedonia

Ancient Times


The history of Macedonia has its roots in the ancient times. It begins from antiquity and travels throughout the centuries, full of glorious stories of battles, heroisms, culture, activity, catastrophes and victories. The name Macedonia derives from the Dorian word makos, mikos in modern Greek (meaning length), and stated that the people of Macedonia are tall.

The lands around Aegae, the first Macedonian capital, were home to various greek peoples. Macedonia was called Emathia (from king Emathion) and the city of Aiges was called Vergina, the capital of fabled king Midas in his youth. In approximately 650 BC, the Argeads, an ancient Greek royal house led by Perdiccas I established their palace-capital at Aegae.

It seems that the first Macedonian state emerged in the 8th or early 7th century BC under the Argead Dynasty, who, according to legend, migrated to the region from the Greek city of Argos in Peloponnesus (thus the name Argead). Herodotus mentions this founding myth when Alexander I was asked to prove his Greek descent in order to participate in the Olympic Games, an athletic event in which only men of Greek origin were entitled to participate. Alexander proved his (Argead) descent and was allowed to compete by the Hellanodikai: "And that these descendants of Perdiccas are Greeks, as they themselves say, I happen to know myself, and not only so, but I will prove in the succeeding history that they are Greeks. Moreover the Hellanodicai, who manage the games at Olympia, decided that they were so: for when Alexander wished to contend in the games and had descended for this purpose into the arena, the Greeks who were to run against him tried to exclude him, saying that the contest was not for Barbarians to contend in but for Greeks: since however Alexander proved that he was of Argos, he was judged to be a Greek, and when he entered the contest of the foot-race his lot came out with that of the first." The Macedonian tribe ruled by the Argeads, was itself called Argead (which translates as "descended from Argos").

Other founding myths served other agenda: according to Justin's, Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus, Caranus, accompanied by a multitude of Greeks came to the area in search for a new homeland took Edessa and renamed it Aegae. Subsequently, he expelled Midas and other kings and formed his new kingdom. Conversely, according to Herodotus, it was Dorus, the son of Hellen who led his people to Histaeotis, whence they were driven off by the Cadmeians into Pindus, where they settled as Macedonians. Later, a branch would migrate further south to be called Dorians.

The kingdom was situated in the fertile alluvial plain, watered by the rivers Haliacmon and Axius, called Lower Macedonia, north of the mountain Olympus. Around the time of Alexander I of Macedon, the Argead Macedonians started to expand into Upper Macedonia, lands inhabited by independent Macedonian tribes like the Lyncestae and the Elmiotae and to the West, beyond Axius river, into Eordaia, Bottiaea, Mygdonia, and Almopia, regions settled by, among others, many Thracian tribes. To the north of Macedonia lay various other-Greek peoples such as the Paeonians due north, the Thracians to the northeast, and the Illyrians, with whom the Macedonians were frequently in conflict, to the northwest. To the south lay Thessaly, with whose inhabitants the Macedonians had much in common both culturally and politically, while to west lay Epirus, with whom the Macedonians had a peaceful relationship and in the 4th century BC formed an alliance against Illyrian raids.

Near the modern city of Veria, Perdiccas I (or, more likely, his son, Argaeus I) built his capital, Aigai (modern Vergina). After a brief period under Persian rule under Darius Hystaspes, the state regained its independence under King Alexander I (495--450 BC). In the Peloponnesian War Macedon was a secondary power that alternated in support between Sparta and Athens.

Phillip II (357-336 BC) introduced Macedonia as a newly established monarchic state which played a major role. The king managed to unite with the rest of the states and all the Greeks in becoming one. Phillip ordered his son Alexander the Great into forming a restrained army to take over the entire Persian Empire. Macedonia became the heart and mind of the Hellenistic times.

Greeks enter into a treaty for military cooperation, both defensive and offensive, known as the League of Corinth. Greece is now more nearly united than ever before, even though under duress.

One of the resolutions of the League of Corinth is to launch a war against Persia, with Philip as commander of the confederate forces. In the following spring (336) an advance guard of 10,000 troops sets off eastwards. But that same summer, at a feast to celebrate the wedding of his daughter, Philip is murdered by one of his courtiers.

The League immediately elects his son, Alexander, in his place as commander. But this degree of unity is short-lived. The Thebans rebel against the League. Alexander storms Thebes in 335 BC, killing 6000. He then puts into effect a stern judgement by the council of the League. Theban territory is divided between its neighbours.


Macedonia after Alexander: 323 - 148 BC

The whole of Greece seems to hold its breath during the astonishing saga of Alexander's conquests in the east. His regent in Macedonia (Antipater, one of his father's most trusted generals) keeps the region calmly under control apart from one brief uprising by Sparta.


Roman and Byzantine Times

The Macedonian kingdom soon lost control, after the defeat by the Romans in the Macedonian Wars, but it preserved its leadership. During the Roman occupation, Macedonia faces a dark period and the following years shares the same luck with the Byzantine Empire. During that time, around 6th -7th century, Macedonia attracts many conquerors, among them are the Slavic people, Visigoths and Huns. The next two centuries are quite peaceful and the country continues the strong efforts for economic development and rising of political power.

In 1082, Normans occupy Macedonia and after many invasions they take over Thessaloniki but soon they abandon the town. In 13th century, Macedonia is under the Frankish rule and the battle against them ends with their defeat. The next century is the gold era of Thessaloniki. The Byzantine Empire spends its last moments and Thessaloniki becomes a pole of national development.


Ottoman occupation and liberation

During the Turkish domination, the Greek-Macedonian people succeeded in winning against the Turks twice, in 1371 and 1403 but despite the huge efforts, Turks refused to give up the territory. After the fall of Constantinople, Turks settled in the entire Macedonia. From 16th to 19th century, there are many battles and revolutionary outbreaks where Macedonians fight against the Ottomans. They are beaten to death but they withstand their attacks with great heroism. In 1826, with the foundation of the independent Greek state, Macedonia was still an outsider, and remained under the Turkish rule for the next few years.

Finally in 1913 and after many years of battles against the Ottomans and the Bulgarians, the southern part of Macedonia united with the Mother Greece and the north part Occupied by the Slavs. Today, the economy of Macedonia is based on agriculture, cattle-breeding and tourism. The largest town is Thessaloniki, which serves as an important trading center in the Balkans.

Geschichte von Epirus

Prähistorische und Antike Zeit

Epirus wurde erstmals in der Altsteinzeit besiedelt. Die Siedler jener Zeit wurden vor allem bei der Jagd beteiligt , während andere Pastoren waren, die ihnen die griechische Sprache und gebaute Gräber brachten, um ihre Führer zu begraben. Viele Siedlungen und alte Funde aus der mykenischen Zeit wurden auch in Epirus gefunden.

Nachdem die mykenische Zivilisation ging , wurde Epirus als der richtige Ort für die Invasionen der Dorier (1100 -1000 v. Chr.) in Griechenland angesehen. Die ursprünglichen Bewohner wurden im Süden der Dorier gebracht und seitdem entstanden drei griechisch sprachige Stämme , die Thesproti , die Molossi und die Chaones . In der Antike lebten diese Stämme , die die Einheimischen von Epirus wurden in kleinen Dörfern , im Gegensatz zu anderen die in städte wie Athen, Sparta und Korinth lebten.

Epirus lag im Norden des griechischen landes und auch viele Invasionen kamen aus dem Norden, aber aufgrund der Existenz des Heiligtums von Dodoni , war das Gebiet sehr wichtig für die antike griechische Welt. Die historischen Schriften des Thukydides und Strabo beschreiben die Epiroten als Barbaren aber für andere, wie Pausanias sind sie Griechen . Im 3. Jahrhundert v. Chr. war Epirus ein verbündeter Staat mit seinen eigenen Vertreter . Doch während des Krieges zwischen den Makedonier und Römer , hilt Epirus einen neutralen Kurs, aber in dem 3. Makedonischen Krieg ( 171-168 v. Chr.) die Molosser kämpften mit den Makedonen , während die Chaonier und Thesproten sich auf die Seite der Römer kämpften.

Epirus unter König Pyrrhus

In 370 v. Chr. erhielten die Bemühungen um die Aeaciden doggenartige Zustände und erweitern ihre Impulse aus der Ehe von Philipp II. von Makedonien , ihre Prinzessin Olympias aus Epirus . In 334 , während Alexander der Große , Sohn von Philipp und Olympias ,seinem Onkel, in Asien kreuzt, marschiert der Molosser Herrscher Alexander in Süden Italiens, wo er schließlich von den Römer in der Schlacht getötet wurde in 331 v.Chr. Nach dem Tod von Alexander dem Molosser bildeten die Epirotischen Stämme eine Koalition auf gleicher Basis , aber mit dem König in doggenartige Befehl ihrer militärischen Kräfte .

Der größte Molosser König dieser Koalition war Pyrrhus ( 319 bis 272 ) . Er und sein Sohn Alexander II. regierten so weit südlich wie Acarnania und Illyrien im Norden. Die militärischen Abenteuer von Pyrrhus überfordern seine staatlichen militärischen Ressourcen, und sie brachten auch großen Wohlstand in Epirus. Er baute einen prächtigen Stein Theater in Dodoni und einen neuen Stadtteil auf Ambracia (jetzt Arta ), die er zu seiner Hauptstadt machte. Dies war die wichtigste und Blütezeit in der Geschichte des Epirus.

Byzantinische und osmanische Zeit

Mit der römischen Eroberung war Epirus nicht mehr unabhängig . In 146 v. Chr. , wurde es eine römische Provinz mit dem Namen Palea Epirus (Altes Epirus ) . Die Uferzone wurde zu einem wichtigen Handelszentrum und der Bau des Straßennetzes verbessert die Wirtschaft der Region . Epirus war Teil des Byzantinischen Reiches und nach dem Fall von Konstantinopel von den Kreuzzügen im Jahre 1204 , nahm Michael Komninos Epirus und gründete den unabhängigen staat von Epirus, mit Arta als Hauptstadt. Im Jahre 1318 überrannten Serben und Albanern die Gegend . Im Jahre 1359 war der unabhängige Staat unter byzantinischer Herrschaft , aber nicht für lange.

Die Kastrioti , war eine griechische Adelsfamilie 14. und 15. Jahrhunderts. Diese Familie kontrolliert die Region rund um Nord-Epirus am Ende des 14. und Anfang des 15. Jahrhunderts. Das bemerkenswerteste Element wurde Skanderbeg .

Im 14. Jahrhundert war die Kastrioti Familie eine der am wenigsten leistungsfähige Adelsfamilien in byzantinischen Reich und auf den ganzen nördlichen Epirus. Unter der Herrschaft von Skanderbeg ( der Name kommt von Iskender Bey , was " Alexander Regeln" bedeutet, kämpften Griechen mit einigen Albaner gegen Osmanen.

Griechen und Albaner hatten eine Menge Siege gegen ihre Feinde . Doch nach dem Tod von Georgios Kastriotis konvertierten die meisten Albaner zum Islam und kämpften mit den Osmanen gegen die Griechen . Griechen, die gegen Osmanen kämpften blieben orthodox und versklavt unter der osmanischen Herrschaft bis zum griechischen Unabhängigkeitskrieg .

Während der türkischen Besatzung , waren die Bewohner des Epirus gezwungen aus Entwaldung , ihre Häuser zu verlassen und sich in anderen Bereichen auf der Suche nach einem besseren Leben. Allerdings waren einige Städte noch unter venezianischer Herrschaft bis zum Ende des 15. Jahrhunderts, als die osmanische Besatzung in Epirus beendet war. Epirus wurde die Startanlage für viele Ausbrüche. Vom 17. Jahrhundert viele Händler aus Ioannina, Metsovo und Zagoria trugen zur kulturellen Entwicklung der Region mit dem Aufbauen vieler Schulgebäude und Bibliotheken. In der Tat war Epirus einer der Orte, die stark mit der neoklassischen Aufklärung verbunden war.

Moderne Zeit

Im Jahre 1821 , mit der griechischen Revolution , hatten die Epiroten eine aktive Rolle in den Kämpfen , sowohl innerhalb als auch außerhalb der Grenzen des Epirus. Bis zum Ende der griechischen Revolution im Jahre 1913 , Süd Epirus wurde offiziell mit dem neu griechischen Staat vereint , Nord-Epirus wurde von Albanien und den Groß-mächten Okkupiert. In Nord-Epirus (Süd Albanien) lebt eine große Minderheit von Epiroten ( Griechen ) die für ihre autonomie kämpfen.

Am 17.Februar 1914 in Argyrokastro ( Gjirokaster ) rief die griechische Bevölkerung eine separate Republik " Autonomen Epirus " auf, die so bald wie möglich vereint sein sollte, mit Griechenland. Nach dem ersten Weltkrieg , fiel Nord-Epirus schließlich an den albanischen staat. Die Geschichte von Epirus reist durch viele Phasen von der Geburt der griechischen Welt in die Neuzeit .